The Bible according to the Qur’an and History
I. The Bible in the Qur’an
(1) The Bible and the Qur’an is one book
It has become a habit in Muslim circles to create a certain division in the those books supposed to be holy in a Muslim context. In other words, the Muslim typically favours the Koran and eagerly resents the previous revelations. Such attitude however, violates one of the basics in original Islamic doctrines on holy books and Revelation. The Koran seems to state explicitly that the books revealed by God to the prophets, particularly the Jewish and Christian ones and the Koran are one book. The previous Revelations and considered to be portions of the Book, while the final revelation of the Koran marks the completion of the Book. The Koranic verses that verify this are found below.
a. The 3 major books of acceptance
It is He who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, Book, confirming confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) (Sura 3:3)
b. These books are in fact one book
“If you Muhammad are in doubt regarding that which we have revealed to thee, ask those who read the book from before you” (Yunus 10:94).
c. The previous Revelations are simply portions of the Book
Hast thou not turned thy thought to those who have been given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the Book of Allah, to settle their dispute, but a party of them turn back and decline (Sura 3:23)
(2) The Qur’an verifies and confirms the previous Books
Furthermore The Qur’an confirms and testifies to the previous Scriptures, it does not correct them but provides a fuller explanation (This is one of the major errors and contradictions we find in the Koran, and certainly it leaves the Muslim in a dilemma he has yet been unable to evade from).
This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book-wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds (Sura 10:37).
Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are those who rebel.
To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge by what Allah hath revealed and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee...(Sura 5:47-48)
(3) The previous Books support and confirm the Qur’an as a foundation
And again the Koran postulates that the previous Revelations back and support the Koran (This is obviously not true, however, this is what the Koran states, anyone can make his/hers assessment).
If thou wert in doubt as to what we have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee, the truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt (Sura 10:94)
(4) The Christian’s and the Jew’s possessed the previous Books in Muhammed’s lifetime
One of the issues related to Bible corruption, concerns the actual date of corruption. Some Muslims have cleverly claimed that Constantine and his time were behind such fallacy. However, such a claim goes straight against the teaching of the Koran, which verifies that the Gospel (Injeel) and the Law (Torah), were in the hands of the Christians and the Jews in Muhammad’s lifetime. Thus according to the Koran the Bible was not corrupted while Muhammad was still alive.
a. The Jews possess the Torah in the time of Muhammed
“But why do they (the Jews) come to thee for decision, when they have the Torah in which is the command of God”. (Al-Ma’ida 5:46)
b. The Christians possess the Injil in the time of Muhammed
“And let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed in it. If any fail to judge by what God has revealed, they are licentious”. (Al-Ma’ida 5:50)
c. The previous Books in the hands of the Jews and the Christians
“And I will write down my mercy for those who are righteous and give alms and who believe in our signs; who follow the apostle, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in the Torah and the Gospel that is with them”. (Al-A‘raf 7:156-157)
(5) The Christian’s and the Jew’s read the previous Books in Muhammed’s lifetime
Simply to further elaborate on the matter, the existence of the previous Scripture in Muhammad’s era was not a passive matter, the Koran refers to and encourages the studies of these Scriptures by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.
“The Jews say, ‘The Christians are not founded upon anything.’ And the Christians say, ‘The Jews are not founded upon anything.’ And yet they read the book”. (Al-Baqara 2:113)
...whom they find written in the Torah and the Gospel that is with them (Sura 7:156-157)
If you Muhammed are in doubt regarding that which we have revealed to thee, ask those who read the book from before you (Sura 10:94)
(6) The previous Books are a guidance and light in Muhammed’s lifetime
Considering the existence and purpose of the Injeel (Gospel) in Muhammad’s lifetime we don’t escape the fact that the Gospel serves as a light and guidance to the people.
After them we sent forth Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah, already revealed, and gave him the Gospel, in which there is guidance and light, corrobarting what was revealed before it in the Torah a guide and an admonition to the rigtheous (Sura 5:46)
(7) Since the previous Books are a guidance and light the Christian is to judge from them
Since the Gospel is a guidance and light, we are to read it, study and judge by, otherwise the Koran we are rebellious.
And let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed in it. If any fail to judge by what God has revealed, they are licentious (Sura 5:47)
(8) The Jew’s and Christians are to live according to the previous Books
But not only are we to read and judge by the previous Revelations, the Christian and Jews are to follow these books and base their life, lifestyle and faith upon.
Can Muslim please explain to me, why the Koran encourages and urges the Christian and Jews to believe and follow a corrupted book? Surely the reader and follower of Islam realizes that the Koran recognises the Bible as a book worth believing and following. In other words, if Koran was revealed by God, should we not expect then that God is all-knowing and would know the great differences between the Bible and the Koran, but yet in his revelation he places it (the Bible as it exists in Muhammad’s lifetime) aside with the Koran.
Lets get real here, any Muslim who tells me not to believe the Bible because it is corrupt, is himself corrupt, and is hardly a Muslim, he has rejected what the Koran recognises and calls the Word of God.
“Say, O people of the book! You are not founded on anything until you perform the Torah and the Gospel, and what was revealed to you from your Lord”. (Al-Ma’ida 5:68-71)
(9) The Muslim is to believe these previous revelations in Muhammeds lifetime
So Muslim, is the Bible changed? Not according to the Koran, and amazingly at this point Christian and Jews stand together with the Koran while the Muslim has to reject his own teaching.
The Muslim is to believe the Bible, in the same form as it existed in Muhammad’s lifetime, if he does not do that, in my eyes he is not a Muslim, and I have won my case.
Be courteous when you argue with People of the Book except with those among them who do evil. Say: “ We believe in that which is revealed to us and which was revealed to you. Our God and your God is one”. (29:46)
The Messenger believeth In what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith, each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messenger. “We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of his messengers.” And they say: “We hear, and we obey: (we seek) Thy forgivness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys” (Sura 2:285)
O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and his Messenger, and the Scripture, which He sent to his messenger, and the Scripture which he sent to those before (him). Any who denieth Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the day of judgement, hath gone fare astray (Sura 4:136)
(10) Muhammed is to consult these previous Scriptures
I find it therefore amazing that the prophet of Islam, Muhammad valued the Bible and respected its teaching. Sadly he was not able to read, and no doubt if that was the case, the Koran’s comments on the Bible would be rather different.
As to the Muslim therefore, he is to believe the Bible, but not its doctrine and that is more than a paradox it is a fundamental contradiction.
However, in the same way as Muhammad we expect every Muslim to follow in his steps and believe the previous Revelations.
“If you Muhammad are in doubt regarding that which we have revealed to thee, ask those who read the book from before you ”. (Yunus 10:94)
“The apostles We sent before you were but men whom we inspired with revelations and with Scriptures. Ask the People of the Book if you know not”. (16:43)
(11) The followers of Jesus overcame
Why do I mention this in addition to the rest? Because the disciples according to the Koran never changed the word of God, and interestingly enough the Christian copies and manuscripts date back to the same era; thus historically seen no Bible corruption is possible.
“O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of God: as said Jesus the son of Mary to the disciples, ‘Who will be my helpers for God?’ The disciples said, ‘We are God’s helpers!’ Then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved: but we gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed.” (Al-Saff 61:14)
(12) The various nations will be judged according to their own book
As a Christian I will on the day of judgement be judged by my own book. Now how is that possible say the Bible has been corrupted.
And thou wilt see every nation bowing knee: every nation will be called to its Record: “This day shall ye be recompensed for all that ye did” (Sura 45:28)
(13) Denying the previous Scriptures brings serious consequences
And finally a warning:
O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and his Messenger, and the Scripture which He sent to His Messenger, and the Scripture which He sent to those before (Him). Any who denieth Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the day of judgement, hath gone fare astray (Sura 4:136)